Thursday, October 21, 2010

I always love to see how other DMs operate; what charts they use?, do they use minis? what kind of houserules are being used? It's always insightful to see someone else's tools and techniques. The one great thing about blogging and the 'OSR' is that many people share their experiences, sessions, methods, etc. with ideas and creativity running rampant!

So I thought I'd share some of my methods and tools in running my sandbox campaign that we've been running for a year now.

So I'll start at the beginning with the foundation of any game, the rules.

I chose to go with Swords & Wizardry core rules as my foundation. I could've gone with Holmes' Blue Book or Moldvay's Red but I went with S&W because I liked the openness of the rules as well as the 'newness' and availability of the rules/product (a plus to using the retro-clones). I felt that, right or wrong, I might be able to find players to join in a session or two if the game wasn't grounded in the past; if it seemed like something new. As it turned out I had no problem finding players, in fact, the group has kept growing until there are now nine of us.

Let's face it, the rules for all 3 versions that I mentioned are pretty much the same with only minor variations between them. Subtle variations yet enough to give the games a different feel from each other. Moldvay has a clear and unambiguous description of the rules but, IMO, leaves the PCs stronger than I was looking for. Holmes and S&W, on the other hand, are a bit more rough on the PCs and pulpy in terms of that subtle nature called atmosphere. A pretty good match to 'cut and paste'.

Swords & Wizardry is quite open in it's rules, very much a broad-stroke that begs for the DM and the players to fill in some of the blanks. Not as much as OD&D mind you but, nonetheless, some thought needs to be put into it. Since I've been a huge fan of Holmes' version of the game, I used that as a starting point to help fill in the blanks, so to speak.

Along with the Player's Handbook for the House-Rules, I also put together two reference spell books, one for Magic-users and the other for Clerics and Druids. These are quick reference guide for various spells that the players use as well as I. These are available as a free pdf download from Lulu or a pay for print version from Lulu as well and are digest sized. A perfect fit for the already cluttered table.

So on any given night, I have out on the table, the Swords & Wizardry Core Rules, the Player's House-rule Handbook, The Book of Wizardry and the Book of the Divine, as well as the Monster Compendium. I also keep a version of Labyrinth Lord around just for quick reference on some odd rule that may need a quick judgment on.

And speaking of rule judgments, I don't hesitate to discuss tweaking rules with the players if it comes up. Usually we get to a pretty good consensus quickly without any delays in gameplay or arguments. After all, S&W is a rules-lite system and we mostly just want to have a good time having adventures and killing things. As you can see from our recaps, I think we have succeeded pretty well.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

For those of you not keeping up to date with the crazy-ass politics here in the US of A we've got one wacko named Christine O'Donnell who's strong stance on anti-masturbation and her lack of knowledge on separation of Church and State really makes her jump out in a general pack of wackos running for office. Anyways, she dabbled in 'witchcraft' back in her High School daze (maybe even listened to Black Sabbath! Oh no!) so she actually felt she had to put a TV add out denying that she's a witch to pander to these crazy fundamentalists here in the states (the American Taliban). WTF has America come to.

I'm not going to post her ad here 'cause I don't want to spoil the purity of the Warlock's Home Brew....on second thought, tying her witchy-ways with the Warlock's Home Brew might be just what the Witch-doctor ordered.

Everyone's been parodying C O'D's ads but you gotta give the award to good ol' Elvira. Praise the Goddess of darkness and schlocky horror!!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The trail of blood was still evident from the Jackals the party killed earlier.

As we went through the tunnels there were many passages.

Lots of water under here. I wonder how far this place really goes.

Could we find the ruins of some ancient civilization.

What is that noise?! It sounds familiar and I have smelled this before...

G H O U L S! Dammit. These foul creatures are more trouble than they are worth!

The Mithra Cleric tries to turn this first group. He fails but Televon succeeds!

Great!

One still stands near. We attack and the Dwarf gets clawed by the ghoul. She is down for a bit.

We finish the bastard off.

The group decides to chase the pack....I howl at the chance for more combat.

I think it was a bad idea as now it seems more Ghouls are following us from the other direction.

Again the clerics use their turn spell and this time Nadrak succeeds.

The battle rages one. One ghoul gets me. I freeze with terror. This feeling is not something I am use too.

The party kills the rest of this pack of Ghouls and I can move again.

We turn to follow the original pack of Ghouls we were chasing.

There are chirping and gnawing sounds. Battle or I am a shemite.

We go cautiously and quietly. As we peer out the end of the tunnel.

Tibag veers out to look.

It is madness. These ghouls are being swarmed by what we have dubbed Crotch Goblins.

More than Tibag can count. He ducks back in tells us it is a formidible amount.

We decide we might be able to draw them in this tunnel and dispatch.

The party prepares and the druid heals up who he can while we lay an oil trap down to light with a torch to burn the first wave.

The Dwarf blows her whistle and that attracts the HORDE!

The tunnel is small so I take front with Gnarly the druid behind and Tibag. The next 3 are Televon, Maudlin and Nadrak with Skwanky who just keeps eating..

I can take 3 of these creatures at a time but the waves become fierce.

Some get through. The party fights some off.

More get through. I have some on me. Little bastards.

The dwarf is being mauled! She loses an arm!

We make a quick contingency decision. Fall back to the larger room and draw them through this tunnel.

I drop another oil bomb and Gnarly lights it up. As we run we kill the few in the way.

As we get to the larger room the clerics and druid heal us up. Maudelin is lucky as they we able to re-attach her arm and heal her. Her left arm will be useless for at least a day though. We use the last of our oil for one final firetrap.

The goblins come through. We light the flame and tens of them catch on fire.

I take the front with Televon and Skwanky flanking. Behind us is Tibag,Gnarly,Nadrak and Maudeline.

Come you little bastards! Meet your maker!

They pour in and I start cutting into them with my axe! Televon smashes a few with his mace. Gnarly spears one right before my eyes! Tibag's Arrows pierce one in the sternum! Maudelin launches stones from her sling. Skwanky's tooth mace is leaving imprints on smashed goblin skulls. Nadrak holds his own as well!

Wave after wave and we finally see the end. A few left that we dispatch.

The floors are covered in blood and icker. The smell is terrible. I long for the outside.

My chest is a blast furnace and my heart burns. This battle was fierce. Some ale and mead are in order.

We are all still here though and that is what counts. None of my companions shall fall if I have any say in the matter....

This is an excerpt from the Dream Diary of Televon Van Der Beek.

Dear Morpheus,

These are but a few recollections from the latest dream you have sent to me. A grand vision of terror and bravery that you unfolded before me in your blessed walking slumber. I twas a sublime story you wrought for me my Lord and I am shamed at repeating it back to you, in that I can only recall insignificantly the perfect detail and clarity of what you created.

The intrepid band I have traveled with since a league outside the stark city gates of Blackmoore delved within the Tower of Zenepus once more! What a terrific place rife with danger and treasure, a perfect mix my Lord Morpheus, of putrid nightmare and extravagant fantasy! You have outdone yourself here in this dream construct.

Within the depths we followed the trail of blood left by your imaginative craft, the things called crotch goblins, after dragging off some would be grave robber (as a side note, our band succeeded where the unknown rake failed and the treasure now lies with us, my many thanks on that good twist of the Ether!). We followed the trail and felled many of these goblins of the crotch, most horrifically did the rogue Tie Baug castrate via the mouth one of these goblins that I was more sure than ever that I was aslumber and within your realm.

From there we continued on in the maze of tunnels, twisting and turning and climbing up and down deep within the earths cold grasp until finally we came upon a room most filled with your breath my Lord Morpheus! Deep green ether! Wisps of the Everstuff of dreams! Surely a good portent!

No sooner had I thought it and Tie Baug was lowering himself into a great hole in the center of the caverns of mists. No sooner had we thought that a great treasure was ours for the taking, that a grisly troupe of walking cadavers beset us from the south! Tie Baug would have to climb his way out of the hole for now was the time for the faithful to show these abominations the truth of their existence! Televon the dutiful walker in dreams, faithful carrier of the word of the Lord of Dreams, Morpheus, is called to sacred arms! I strode confidently forward Brandishing your Holy Eye, Lord Morpheus! and the foul creatures did know then, who their true master was! Such shame they felt at having lost the gift of dreams, that they ran from your Hallowed Eye! All, save for one!

The corpse clawed the face of the quiet dwarf, whom Im told is very different than the great dwarf Gedleesmote that gallantly gave his life to save his companions from a fiendish lava spewing golem. Everywhere I turn I seem to hear tale of this amazing dwarf Gedleesmote Hammersend, I only wish I could have met him, but oh well such are dreams. I am looking forward to seeing if Maudlin the dwarf can fill his shoes, and perhaps she is, as she was paralyzed by the foul beasts wicked claws, much in the same way, I hear tell, that the brave Dwarf Gedleesmote Hammersend was in one of his first ventures into the Tower of Zenepus. It was little concern for us though as we surround the ghoul and Wolfhier smote it low! Maudlin quickly composed herself and we ventured on!

Quickly we moved to chase down the ghouls that had fled your Sacred Eye, Lord Morpheus! Soon we found ourselves surrounded my more ghouls and once again I strode forward to reveal the truth of their heresy but it was for not for the Lord of Dreams was himself slumbering, and the day belonged to the weakling follower of Mithra, so misguided.

We roused, this time the barbarian, who had succumb to the ravages of the ghouls, and followed their rotten band. We pursued them until a large cavern ahead filled with the cacophony of a pitched battle, fought between the ghouls we sought and a legion of crotch goblins! We thought it best to let them wage death upon on another before we made our move. While our tactics were sound we quickly found ourselves overrun!

We enacted our secondary plan and began to withdraw after Maudlin the dwarf was dismembered right before my eyes! What a grand vision Lord Morpheus! I shall not soon forget the sight and shall cherish it always as one of most vivid dreams! The grand Druid Gnarly and I drug the body and he laid his staff low and healed her body as I held the pieces together. She'll bear a shield of the High Lords of the Mountains once again but not this day, there is still much healing to do.

Falling back to the end of the tunnel, we surrounded the entrance to the cavern and waited for the onrush of diminutive devils. We lit oil and stood shoulder to shoulder, an immovable bulwark of flashing steel and flesh. Finally the Halfling Skwanky roused himself from his marathon rabbit and cabbage feast and stood with us, surely a windmill of howling death did he become! The steel cage of the felled unbeliever I now wear kept me from harm as did your ever present hooded gaze, Lord Morpheus! Between us all; Tie Baug, Gnarly, Maudlin, Wolfhier, Skwanky, Prophia, Nadrak and myslef we felled 60 or more of the wee nightmares!

Triumphant we stand at this dark precipice. Death and Doom to one side, Fame and Fortune on the other, and we, my Lord Morpheus, stand ever in the middle. All praise the Lord of Dreams!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Every October, my wife and partake in our usual horror movie fest in preparation for Halloween. Now we don't cram as many movies into our month as The October Horror Movie Challenge but we do gather quite a few.

Since we've seen many of the 'good' ones over and over again (and over and over and over…), we thought that this year we'd try all oldies (some good and some bad but always with some redeeming quality) many of which we haven't seen before or at least haven't seen in at least 10 years. Now by oldies, I think we draw the line somewhere in the 1970's (with a few exception) which is interesting because that brings us to the use of special effects.

As mentioned in Beyond the Black Gates post, CGI effects can and have actually detract from suspension of disbelief. Prior to this virtual explosion of cheap effect making, monsters, spaceships and gore and sets were all created with the actors. Whether it was a matte painting or a badly constructed set, the actors and effects were, for the most part, all there in reality. As quaint as some theses affects and stories may appear now, there is something truly entertaining about them. They've been a joy to watch.

So here's what we've caught up until today:

Rosemary's Baby: Classic creepy well directed (Polanski) psychological horror film with Mia Farrow, Satan, babies and old naked devil worshipers. All this in 1968 too!

Die, Monster, Die!: The first in our (loosely based) H.P. Lovecraft adaptations (1965) staring Boris Karloff. Not bad and very entertaining. Interesting take on a Lovecraft story (The Colour Out of Space). The ending kinda looks like a Dr. Who episode - not necessarily a bad thing!

The Dunwhich Horror: Sandra Dee and Dean Stockwell in a more cheesy take on a Lovecraft story. The Necronomicon and the raising of the 'old ones' take center stage. Again, interesting interpretation (for the time, 1971) on the Cthulhu Mythos.

Logan's Run: Pre-Star Wars Sci-Fi 70 flick with miniature city models. A bit long and dragging but a fun action movie. The fashions and hair-styles are quite retro in the 23rd century. No Grognards alive in this future!

The Brotherhood of Satan: More satanic film fun with this horrible devil-worshiping flick, again with old people killing children. Crazy devil worshiping temple set and Ahna (Enter the Dragon) Capri in a bikini!

The Fall of the House of Usher: Vincent Price brings this 1960 horror classic to life in this adaption of the Poe story. Decent acting all around and great castle/dungeon sets. I'd have to say pretty creepy for it's time with Vincent burying his sister alive.

Dagon (2001): A newer flick (yes, we broke our own rules) and one worth checking out. I felt it was a good interpretation of the 'concept' of Lovecraft's Dagon. Human sacrifice, mutant fish-humans, and a beautiful Dagon Priestess played by Macarena Gomez. The lead character is a bit annoying but beyond that, a decent fun horror flick that doesn't hold back.

And on deck...

The Changeling (Yes, with George C. Scott)The City of Lost ChildrenFrankenstein (1932)The Pit and the Pendulum (Another Vincent / Poe thriller)The Blob (Steve Mcqueen)Girly (mid-60's British horror)The Legacy (Roger Daltry's in this one)Deadringers (ah, yes, Cronenberg)Let's Scare Jessica to Death (more 70's horror)

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

So I'm splitting up the session recap and the session report. The session recap will either be player's recollections of the events that transpired or my rambling recount.

The Session Report, however, will be more of the mechanics of the game and discussion of any odd rule situations that came up during play and just general game table stuff.

It seems most likely that I'll post the session report prior to posting the session recap as these will be my initial impressions of the previous night.

So without further ado….

So our session last night was just after the RinCon 2010 weekend. Corey (Level 1 Gamer), Clay and I attend the Con so needless to say that some of us were a bit on the verge of being gamed out (Clay having gamed from 10am to 1am on Saturday!). Also, my Swords & Wizardry session that I planned on running at the Con was a bit of a bust seeing as only one person ended up signing up for the game.I did end up running a solo session and the player was quite the experienced old school roller, adding a lot of color to the solo session. As fun as that was it was still a bit of a disappointment not exposing the game to some new players.

Oh, well.

So last night we gathered for our usual bi-monthly dice rolling fun. We had two birthdays in our group this weekend so my wife, Christy (who seems to be getting more and more into the game) and I rolled out a little birthday celebration for Clay and Tim. Since the general sessions are usually more like a party anyway, we went with party hats and favors along with tasty cupcakes. Mike just happened to bring by some brownies as well. We were short a couple of players but that didn't stop a festive evening of gaming.

The session began with continued exploration of the natural tunnels beneath Zenopus' Tower. A lot of mapping and connecting of overlapping passages and tunnels (which slowed the pace of the game but made room for the usual table talk debauchery). Things picked up with a room of mysterious green mist and ended with a huge battle within the crotch-goblin's enclave. I mean, there were tons of these little buggers.

At first the players thought they had a pretty good strategy in dealing with the hoard but they soon found themselves over-run as the goblins climbed along the walls and ceilings and then dropping on the players.

These goblins dropped on my wife's character, Maudlin the dwarf, almost killing her and actually ripping her arm off (a couple of rolls on the new death chart)! Now this is my wife, mind you, who has just joined us for her third session, who is just beginning to get the concept of Role-playing, and who enthusiastically created the festive party atmosphere and here she is near death.

Not a good predicament for a DM gently getting his wife into playing a fantasy RPG!

So some quick thinking on the player's part to make a fighting retreat to a larger area (they were single file in a 3 foot wide passage) and a quick heal and reattachment of Maudlin's arm set things right.

Now some of you might think that a cure light wounds spell would really not help in this situation of a quite obvious serious wound. Well, I tend to agree with that. But in this situation, I think I made the right call considering the circumstances. I mean, ya gotta keep the wife in the game, right?

Besides, I won't let them off so easy. There are always…..complications, no?

Anyway, another good fun session and quite exciting at the end.

Tim, we tried to save you a cup-cake but, alas, they've all been gobbled up!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

This is a cover illustration that will be used for an adventure called Ruins of the White Watch written Ronald Redmond and soon to be available on Dragonsfoot as a free download.

I did the illustration while my wife Christy did the watercolor. We've been trying out some new techniques to add color to my illustrations. I'm still working out the kinks but I think this is a step in a good direction (I think the line-work came out a bit heavy).

One of the players in my campaign, Corey (Level 1 Gamer) will be running the 4th ed. Red Box Starter Game so if you're looking to check out what all the brew-ha-ha about 4th ed is all about, check out Corey's game. You can read about Corey's experience at last years event when Will Wheaton (who will be attending once again) ran a Dungeon Delve of Doom.

A number of my other players will be wandering around (roll for encounter 1 in 6 every half hour) playing many a game as well.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Many nights I entertain the idea of running away again. Finding another way to the truth.

I do miss Gedlee. He always annoyed me but I think it was only because he was of similar spirit. His quest was pure materialistic though. I care not for treasures of this world. Odin will take care of me when I pass if I prove myself.

I spent the last few days practicing my techniques alone near the Temple of Mithra. Got some strange looks but what do I worry about these silly Clerics.

Turns out we are going back to the Tower of Zenopus.

It is a foul old place filled with death. Lots of creatures to slay there. Will I find a battle worthy?

I hope so!

Tis the night of the Black Sabbath.

All of these weaklings here in Caladan are fearing the worst.

I am use to superstitious folks but here they are really concerned.

The group has decided that it is best to return to the Tower of Zenopus.I concur! What better time. Let's fight the beast on its strongest day and survive to tell the tale or die with honor in glorious combat.

Now if only Swanky would stop eating we could get a move on. He is gonna need some armor after that last encounter...

We picked up another Cleric recently..he is how can I say this...strange.I find him very irritating. He talks of dreams and some god named Morphius ? Even the Clerics at the Temple of Mithra think he is a strange one.

As long as he stays out of my way then I can tolerate his antics.I think Tibag is annoyed by him as well.

That damn wizard has disappeared on us again? I think he has a secret that he does not want us to know yet...or ever.

I will finish this mead and we can get on with slaying whatever lies in the Tower!

The Tower of Zenopus awaits.

It is snowing here much like my homeland.

I see some of the others trying to not let it get to them.

I am sure they will be fine. We have a pretty tough group here.

Death has come calling a few times....though it did claim our eclectic Dwarf companion.

Tonight we come to slay the Vampiress that lives here.

I made sure when we were getting the Halfling some armor that I made some wooden stakes.

We can't even see anything but snow around us.

The Tower lay before us.

I lead the way inside with torch in hand.

What will we find tonight?

From the journal of Tibag the Robber - Night of the Black Sabbath

3pm - got a shopkeeper to open up, gold always wins. Got the little guy some armor. Had to let it out quite a bit - apparently he ate everything at the Cloven Hoof, including the Hooves. Paid the armorer an extra gold piece to hook a tiny bell to the back. Told little guy the sound was a fairy. Not sure if he's figured it out yet.

5pm - Waited for the magician, planning to follow him to his party, scout out these white wizards. Never showed. Went without us? Got captured by the white wizards? Too hard to follow them anyway, white robes in all this damned snow. Probably too hard to sneak, as well. Cold - missed my tree in Sackwood for the first time on trip.

7pm - Back to full fighting force (mostly), no party to crash, so we headed back to the tower of Zenopus. Wanted to see what's in the sarcophagus. Probably not the Vampire since it seems to be an older digging, but we took plenty of garlic and stakes and holy water anyway. Never hurts. Also took the hired girl and the other priest - again, never hurts.

7:30pm - On the way to the tower, we debated the merit of assaulting ancient evil on the night of the black sabbath. Agreed that it would be the most interesting time to do it.

8:30pm - New priest hitting on the hired girl, offering dream interpretations. She seems interested. New dwarf rolled her eyes and said something about dreaming she entered a dungeon without armor.

9pm - Made our way back to the tomb, someone stole the black flame jackals. Damned crotch-goblins. Wanted to make a flame-jackal jacket.

9:05pm - The hired girl and the little guy tried to take the lid off...Big Hair had to give the little guy a boost. Pretty funny-

9:06pm - Biggest Skeleton I Ever Saw

9:10pm - Destroyed the 8-foot skeleton. We managed to (mostly) dodge his huge sword and bash it to pieces. Not Zenopus, but could have been ugly. Found a shiny silver spear and some huge dagger. Might use his armor for a sled.

9:30pm - Yuck - attacked by some kind of snot golem as we finished searching the room. Covered my face with his slime. It was a little frightening, but also strangely invigorating. My skin is tingling. Swords cut right through it, but it burned nicely. Little guy was up in some hole in the wall, said it connected back to the filthy rat tunnels. Suppose we should clear those out sometime (rat god? King rat?) but we decided tonight wasn't the night.

10pm - Continued our pattern of seeking out the worst thing in the area: followed the bloody trail down the passage to what must be the crotch goblin warrens. Began exterminating the last few crotch goblins.

10:15pm - "Last few" crotch goblins called their friends. These things must do nothing but breed. Thankfully we kill them faster than they can reproduce...just barely, though. It's fun to watch hair guy and little guy kill three of them with one sweep. Nature guy skewered a couple at once. Twenty or thirty crotch goblins down. I worry sometimes that I'm enjoying this too much.

10:16pm - Not worried any more. Crotch goblin jumped on my face and started tearing at my head with his claws. I bit his junk off. Nobody teabags Tibag. Did NOT enjoy that. Crotch goblin blood tastes like evil and decay. Hope someone has some mead.

10:30pm - Other crotch goblins stunned, easy to dispatch. Victory! Still feel kind of sick. We decide to take a break.

This session is brought to you my Milkman-x (Wolfheir) and Brian (Tibag).

The session recaps may be changing a bit to allow the players to provide a POV of their character's experiences. I think it may be a bit more interesting than my usual rambled collection of the sessions events. Hopefully their recollections will overlap to give you all a larger picture of the session's happenings. If this continues, I'll let the players tell the story while I'll post additional session mechanics and highlights that have more to do with the playing of the game.

Class AbilitiesBeast-men can only be fighters and only wear leather armor. Bludgeoning weapons are their weapons of choice (such as clubs, hammers, tables and chairs) but they can use bladed weapons but as a -1 to hit. They can also use a sling as a ranged weapon or throw heavy rocks.

They have a type of darkvision and can see 20' in complete darkness.

When grappling an opponent, the Beast-man can put the squeeze on him for 2-8 points of damage. They are suspicious of magic but gain a +2 to save against poison.

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Character Sheet

I grew up with comics and got into D&D with Holmes Basic back in '78. I loved the game back then and played Champions, Top Secret, and tons of other games by SPI and Avalon Hill. Got out of gaming in the mid 80's and haven't played since. After Gary passed I discovered the Retro Clones and really got into the whole grass-roots DIY vibe. I have a sandbox campaign going since 2009 using Swords & Wizardry and some House Rules.

MIA:Slick Vinny - Dead, may be a Vampire by the hand of ZenopusThoven Brightsmith - Priest of the Black Church (sucked into the soul gem)Arg - Half-orc Grunt (sucked into the soul gem)Wolfheir, Viking Berserker (sucked into the soul gem)